South Korea introduces smartphone checks for counterfeit K-brand products

• 

  South Korea has introduced a government certification mark that lets consumers scan products to check whether K-brand goods are genuine.

• 

  The mark uses an AI digital watermark designed to be difficult to counterfeit.

• 

  Consumers can scan a QR code beside the mark and then scan the mark with a smartphone, without installing an app.

• 

  A genuine product triggers a confirmation in one of 15 languages, while a suspected fake prompts a warning.

• 

  Thirty-one companies, including Samyang Foods, Amorepacific and Korea Ginseng Corp., have applied to use the mark.

Who

South Korea’s Intellectual Property Office and Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation introduced the system.

What

A national certification mark uses an AI digital watermark to let consumers check K-brand products with a smartphone.

When

The mark was introduced on October 7.

Where

It is intended for use by consumers anywhere, including overseas.

Why

To help consumers identify counterfeit K-brand products and support enforcement against their distribution.

This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.